Papillomas and warts are small growths on the skin of a viral nature. You need to be able to distinguish between them in order to spot potentially dangerous formations in time and take the necessary measures. The main thing that distinguishes papilloma from condyloma is the type of virus-pathogen.
Causes of neoplasms
The human papillomavirus (HPV) has more than a hundred different strains. HPV enters the body through household contact or through unprotected intercourse. It is possible for a child to be infected by the mother as she passes through the birth canal.
The formation of growths indicates the rapid division of cells in the basal layer of the skin. This happens under the influence of a virus, the activation of which in most cases is associated with a decrease in immune protection. Depending on the strain, papillomas or warts appear on the body.
Characteristic features of papillomas
Papilloma is a benign neoplasm that does not cause discomfort, except for aesthetic. Characteristic features of papillomas:
- soft homogeneous structure;
- the presence of a leg;
- small size (up to 10 mm in diameter);
- moderate pigmentation.
Papillomas are located on every part of the body, except the mucous membranes of the genitals. As a rule, the color of growth varies from natural skin tone to pink-red shades, but highly pigmented papillomas are also not a pathology. Hair growth on the body of the papilloma is a variant of the norm.
Papillomas are not dangerous if they do not interfere with the patient and are not accidentally injured in everyday life. The formation of growths of this type is due to the action of 2, 7 and 28 viral strains. You can get these types of HPV on a daily basis and during intercourse.
Characteristics of genital warts
Warts are of two types - pointed growths and wide. The first type occurs with HPV infection, and wide growths are one of the symptoms of syphilis.
The localization sites of genital warts are the mucous membranes, mainly of the urogenital area, as well as the skin folds, which are subject to friction in clothing.
The structure of genital warts is papillary. The formations are attached to a thin stem, the growths are fed through small vessels and capillaries. Unlike papillomas, warts are often inflamed, an ulcer of the growth body is possible.
Genital warts are caused by 16, 18, 54 strains of the virus. These types of HPV are potentially dangerous, especially for women. There is a direct link between these types of viruses and the development of cervical cancer. Infection occurs through sexual intercourse.
How to distinguish papilloma from genital warts?
The external difference between the growths is easily noticeable in the photo - papillomas are homogeneous, while warts have a fine papillary structure.
- The difference between a papilloma and warts lies in the color of the growth. Papillomas can be highly pigmented, the color of the warts is usually light and does not differ from the mucous membranes.
- HPV, which provokes the development of papillomas, is transmitted through household contact, with the help of personal care products and even by handshake (in the presence of skin microtraumas). Warts are only sexually transmitted.
- Warts become inflamed. Papillomas can increase in size, acquire signs of inflammation and injury, but only as a result of a traumatic effect.
- The shape of the papillomas is mostly round or oval "head", located on a soft stem. Warts have irregular outlines, can be arranged in groups. Genital warts are characterized by narrowing from the stem to the end, which makes it possible to distinguish them from papillomas.
- The appearance of growths of different species is due to different strains of the virus.
It is important to remember the main difference between papillomas and warts - the growths on the genitals and mucous membranes must be removed.
Why are growths dangerous?
Papillomas and warts are conditionally considered safe skin neoplasms, but the risk of degeneration of benign cells into malignant cells is higher in the latter case.
Warts are cutaneous manifestations of the action of oncogenic types of viruses. Years of research have found a link between HPV and cervical cancer. Timely diagnosis with further removal of genital warts helps to significantly reduce the risk of developing cancer in women.
Plants can be located not only on the skin and external genitalia, but also in the vagina and cervix. Due to the peculiarities of blood circulation in the genitals, warts get enough food and can grow quickly. In gynecology, there are cases when warts located on the wall of the vagina grow up to 10 cm in diameter.
Indications for removal
Warts should be removed, even if they do not cause discomfort. This is primarily due to the risk of infection of the sexual partner.
Whether or not to remove papillomas located on the skin is a personal matter for each patient. The risk of degeneration of benign papillomas in a cancerous neoplasm increases when the growth body is damaged. This can be caused by rubbing on clothing, accidental nail damage or a towel during hygiene procedures.
You should consult a dermatologist if:
- the papilloma has significantly increased in size;
- discomfort is felt when pressed;
- bleeding or purulent discharge is noted;
- the skin around the growth becomes inflamed.
Removing the buildup is a matter of five minutes. The procedure is almost painless. It is important to understand that timely diagnosis will allow early detection of the onset of cell degeneration and stop the development of oncology.
How are accumulations removed?
Any skin growth should be removed by a professional. Self-burning of papillomas with the help of folk remedies is not always effective. Removing genital warts at home is strictly forbidden.
Before the procedure it is necessary to perform a series of tests. First, the patient's blood is tested to determine the type of virus that caused the neoplasms.
In many warts, the patient is prescribed antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy. This allows you to stop the spread of the virus and set up the immune system to fight HPV. To get rid of genital warts, help ointments with an immunostimulant in the composition (for example, interferon-based drugs). Such drugs are available in the form of suppositories, which allows you to successfully fight growths on the walls of the vagina.
Methods for removing accumulations:
- cryodestruction;
- electrocoagulation;
- laser burning;
- removal with a radio knife;
- cutting with a scalpel.
Upon removal of the genital warts, the tissues obtained as a result of the procedure are sent for histological analysis. Surgical excision or laser removal is indicated for this purpose.
Electrocoagulation is the cauterization of neoplasms. The method has worked well to remove small papillomas.
Cryodestruction is used to remove neoplasms on the skin, but not on the mucous membranes. Liquid nitrogen is applied to the growth, which causes cell necrosis, as a result of which the papilloma simply disappears.
Removing radio waves or a radio knife is an effective and almost painless method of removing genital warts. Under the influence of radio waves, the cells of the neoplasm are destroyed. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
Laser burns of genital warts are indicated in the presence of a large number of growths. The advantages of the method are cauterization of the vessels and capillaries that supply the formation. As a result of skin exposure no traces remain, the risk of bleeding is excluded. Complete recovery of the epidermis after removal occurs within 5-7 days.
Folk remedies are not used to remove genital warts due to the high risk of damage to the mucous membranes by aggressive components of the composition. Alkaline pharmaceuticals are also banned.
To find out how warts differ from papillomas, a photo will help. It is recommended that you consult your doctor if genital lesions appear, rather than trying to remove them yourself.